Labor & Employment: Arizona

THE FIRM This nine-strong Phoenix team retains its leading ranking with clients hailing the firm's international capabilities and broad range of specialized employment law expertise. Clients cite particular strengths in class action, noncompetition and restrictive covenant litigation and praise the firm's dealings with the EEOC. The team has recently been busy with cross-border work, advising US clients with labor disputes overseas. These include handling ongoing issues involving one company's contractors and employees in China, and the alleged criminal conduct of managers in Mexico of another.

Sources say: "The number of true experts the group can throw at a problem is undeniably impressive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Cochair of the labor and employment group, Larry Rosenfeld brings over 35 years' experience to the table and wins praise for tremendous class action experience. He recently represented the former executive management team of an ABC subsidiary in a complex employment lawsuit. Daniel Pasternak, meanwhile, counsels on handbook, termination and leave issues. Clients describe him as "plain-speaking, responsive and helpful" and praise the "consistent high quality" of his work.

Since publication, Lawrence Rosenfeld has joined Squire Sanders (US) LLP

Since publication, Daniel B Pasternak has joined Squire Sanders (US) LLP

THE FIRM This sizeable nationwide firm set up in Arizona in 2005, and is respected for uniform strength across its Phoenix and Tucson offices. The firm commands market respect for its diverse practice, deep bench and client list. Active in wage and hour, trade secret and noncompetition litigation, the group recently advised a notable client in an ethics investigation conducted by the State Bar of Arizona’s Independent Bar Counsel.

Sources say: "A team of pragmatic attorneys who give commercial and common-sense advice in a quick and succinct way. Especially well organized for employment litigation, always preparing the ark before it rains." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joe Clees provides high-level strategic employment counsel and litigation advice. "He's a consummate professional," say clients, "always approachable and utterly reasonable." Tucson-based Tibor Nagy is singled out as a go-to attorney for FLSA wage and hour litigation. Senior litigator and Phoenix managing shareholder Eric Dowell is hailed for his expertise in ADA litigation. Described as "a real lawyer's lawyer," he is also praised for being "sharp and detail-oriented."

THE FIRM As one of the largest firms in the Southwest, this 14-strong group commands market respect for its broad employment practice, attracting special praise for its traditional labor union avoidance expertise. The team provides the full range of litigation services and routinely handles FLSA and FMLA class actions. Its client roster features care providers, manufacturers, defense contractors and technology companies.

Sources say: "A highly personable, responsive and proactive bunch."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The team thrives under the leadership of the "phenomenal" Lawrence Katz. His broad practice focuses on the high-end and complex side of employment litigation and union avoidance counseling. Clients are full of praise for the "extremely quick, efficient and always on-the-money" Stephanie Quincy. She is a favored choice for bet-the-company litigation and is particularly adept at handling employment and FLSA litigations. The vastly experienced Mark Kisicki is a traditional labor lawyer with a national reputation. Clients appreciate his combination of "valued advice and warm bedside manner."

Since publication, Mark G Kisicki has joined Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC

THE FIRM This respected player wins a regular flow of mandates thanks to the scope of its litigation practice, its trial experience and the size of its 24-strong employment law team. The group typically defends employers in high-stakes litigations and carries out a large volume of restrictive covenant work, while complementary skills in employee benefits and immigration law also win praise. Its book of business includes a number of mining and utility companies. ASARCO and Southwest Airlines were notable recent clients.

Sources say: "The group can call upon a great number of people, meaning that as a client, there's never the need to go anywhere else."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nancy-Jo Merritt can draw upon three decades' experience handling business immigration law and remains a go-to lawyer for clients seeking strategic advice on employment policy and compliance. Janice Procter-Murphy's practice is broad, spanning employment counseling, litigation and appellate work. Ron Stolkin is a "first-rate trial lawyer of significant experience, able to go to trial at a moment's notice." He has lately been handling wage and hour litigations. Don Gilbert has a broad employment litigation practice backed up by ample practical experience working in traditional labor law. Erwin Kratz is deemed a "true star" of ERISA and employee benefits law. "He has a conscientious work ethic and is totally focused on the client," say sources. 

THE FIRM Interviewees concur that the early 2010 lateral hire of six lawyers from Ford & Harrison has significantly strengthened the Phoenix office of this nationwide firm. The group now comprises 12 attorneys and regularly receives instructions on discrimination, sexual harassment and wage and hour litigation. It recently defended a client in a class action against 300 plaintiffs alleging racial harassment.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "highly talented, accessible and well versed" Amy Gittler is a go-to lawyer for restrictive covenants, noncompetition cases and collective and class actions. The "incredibly experienced, responsive and proactive" Richard Cohen was the most celebrated of the new arrivals. He has been defending on two high-profile cases, one a claim for misappropriation of trade secrets, the other a whistleblowing dispute.

THE FIRM A strong employee benefits practice, a track record in traditional labor and a range of employment instructions ensure this 12-lawyer group retains a lofty position in the rankings. Praised for its broad industry knowledge and technical expertise, the team has been handling an influx of class and collective action mandates. Many relate to overtime and wage and hour issues, others to resisting union organization.

Sources say: "A group of extremely knowledgeable and responsive professionals who are easy to work with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jon Pettibone is championed by many as "one of the top labor lawyers in the state." Clients appreciate him being "always available and reliable, and forever willing to get you the right answer."

THE FIRM This mainstay of the market commands a respected position in the rankings thanks to a solid stable of clients and a seven-strong team of reliable attorneys. Intel, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold and Maricopa County feature in its book of business, with clients typically turning to the group for advice on wage and hour, wrongful discharge and discrimination issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Moberly tackles a range of litigation work and is particularly good in volatile situations. "He's extremely thoughtful and a calming influence," say clients. He is "always keeping the fire under control." Nate Niemuth is well positioned to deal with any traditional labor matter and is much admired for his "terrific grasp of the unique complexities of labor law."

THE FIRM This six-lawyer group wins plaudits for its breadth of counseling and employment-related litigation practice, acting for major employers and a number of Fortune 500 companies. The team has been busy representing a large Arizona employer in several federal court lawsuits brought by former employees seeking ERISA benefits. It also defended a national health care company against unfair labor practice charges filed with the NLRB.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group heads Kent Brockelman and Kimberly Fatica are much admired by clients and acclaimed as "personable, knowledgeable and highly capable litigators." Brockelman is singled out for "showing incredible intelligence and the ability to adopt the right manner when dealing with opposing counsel." Fatica, meanwhile, "is totally committed to customer service and always follows up on issues." 

THE FIRM Sources hail the firm's strong immigration practice and its wealth of litigation experience acting before government agencies. This 16-lawyer group works out of offices in Phoenix and Tucson, and the likes of Tucson Electric Power, Unisource Energy and Tucson Airport Authority feature on its local client roster.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Having been on the scene for over 25 years, Rebecca Winterscheidt is one of the most reputed names in the market. She co-chairs the firm's employment practice and is head of its immigration team. She regularly advises on ADA, sexual harassment and wage and hour cases. Gerard Morales is strong in the traditional labor arena. He has an impressive track record in NLRB unfair labor practice trials, labor union elections and collective bargaining. The group's seasoned veteran Bill Hayden remains a valued member of the team but tends to advise from beyond Arizona. The talented John Lomax is in his element on cases where federal employment law, Indian law and civil procedure rules meet.

THE FIRM This firm is a new entry to the rankings, having taken a group of 11 attorneys from Ballard Spahr in April 2010. Admired for its range of employment and immigration experience, strengths of the group include audits, compliance and government investigations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Core attorneys David Selden and Julie Pace have been involved in a challenge to the constitutionality of Arizona's 2007 employer sanctions immigration law. Selden's practice covers the full range of discrimination and harassment work, while Pace handles employment counseling, compliance and immigration law.